***It Sounds So Last Century, but Cabin Crew Are Still Hassled by Sex Pests
From Coffee, Tea or Me? to The Swinging Stewardesses to the Singapore Girl. For years, books, movies and marketing campaigns have sold us the story that flight attendants are sexy girls who serve, not working men and women. Years of organizing and activism has helped alter this perception and has dramatically improved working conditions in many parts of the world. But decades after Continental promised to “move our tails for you,” there are those who still feel free to return an attendant’s smile with a wink and a leer — or even a casual grope.
Thankfully, legislation is slowly changing that. Last week, Hong Kong became the latest jurisdiction to take action on the issue after officials proposed an amendment to the territory’s sexual-harassment laws that would make sexual harassment of service providers illegal, even if it happens outside the territory. Under the Sex Discrimination (Amendment) Bill 2014, airborne sex pests would face civil action in Hong Kong courts. “Some people think they can run away from their actions — well, maybe they can’t run away anymore,” says Dora Lai, who heads the flight attendants’ union for local flag carrier Cathay Pacific. It’s a far cry from the 1970s, when the airline used to market itself with a nudge-nudge play on its code: “Try CX. You’ll like it.”
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Though all this may sound like an improbable 1960s throwback, in-flight harassment is an enduring, industry-wide problem. Global stats are hard to come by because such behavior often goes unreported, or may be logged as an in-flight “incident.” But veteran flight attendants with international experience say it is a semiregular occurrence and an unfortunate fact of the job. The new rules in Hong Kong, for instance, follow a survey by Hong Kong’s Equal Opportunity Commission, which found that 27% of Hong Kong flight attendants reported being sexually harassed in the past year.
Statutory protection is a step in the right direction, but is still limited in scope. In drafting their proposal, Hong Kong officials looked to existing laws in Canada, New Zealand and Australia — a small slice of the travel pie. Some markets still lack harassment laws, many the will to enforce them. And it is notoriously tough to pursue claims against someone who may live and work elsewhere.
Part of the problem is that in-flight offenders are emboldened by a perception that they will not be called out. Airlines are certainly not the only place where this happens — creeps and criminals are universal — but there is something about flying that seems to bring it out, says Kathleen M. Barry, author of Femininity in Flight: A History of Flight Attendants. “There has always been that sense that there is something distinctive about being on an airplane, it is a space apart, away from your family, removed from normal constraints of a service relationship.”
Airline marketing has not helped. In 1974’s Sex Objects in the Sky: A Personal Account of the Stewardess Rebellion, Paula Kane observed a link between the rise of sexy ad campaigns (“Fly me”), salacious depictions of stewardesses and real-life, one-the-job harassment. Her businessmen customers felt entitled to a “pinch or a pat.” Some still do.
Today, few would venture to grab a bank teller’s breast, or to casually show a shop assistant or receptionist part of their anatomy without expecting consequences. But both still happen in-flight, cabin crew say. One Chinese employee for a German airline told me in an email how the mere act of pouring a beverage — a humdrum part of the job — prompted one passenger to joke about ejaculating on her. (Fearing repercussions at work, she asked to withhold her name.)
Flight attendants have led the charge to change the industry. Bolstered by the civil rights movement and feminist activism, workers at U.S.-based airlines successfully campaigned for an end to things like age and weight limits and the requirement that stewardesses stay single. They also fought for better pay and benefits. In doing so, they helped changed the perception that working on an aircraft is somehow not real work at all.
Current conditions vary widely across regions and carriers. The International Transport Workers’ Federation last year called out the United Arab Emirates and Qatar for “flagrant abuses” of aviation-workers’ rights (including restrictions on marriage and pregnancy). Hong Kong–headquartered Cathay Pacific has a strong and vocal union, but flight attendants in mainland China cannot organize. Major Chinese airlines still have height and age requirements. At a 2011 recruitment pageant, prospective hires had to walk a runway in swimsuits and were evaluated on the shape of their legs.
Of course, it is not really about what recruits wear, or how they look, but about power. Flight attendants could wear potato sacks and still get hassled. Stopping would-be offenders means showing passengers and staff alike that abuse will not be tolerated, says Heather Poole, an industry veteran and the author of the bestseller Cruising Attitude: Tales of Crashpads, Crew Drama, and Crazy Passengers at 35,000 Feet. “There’s a reason foreign carriers like to keep their flight attendants young,” she says. In her experience, young people, who often have less job security, may be hesitant to speak up.
When, as a rookie, she was groped by a passenger in first class, she fled to the galley and did not report it. “I had just started flying, and I didn’t want to lose my job by causing a problem with an important passenger,” she recalled in an email. “I still don’t [know] who I’d go to for something like that. The union? Human resources? A 1-800 number?”
For Hong Kong–based crew, at least, the new rules may provide some help. And at least the issue is being discussed. But tackling the problem globally will require all jurisdictions, and airlines, to step up. Not to mention passengers. “I’d suggest that any person with a propensity to act out in this manner consider traveling as if their mother is sitting next to them,” Poole says. “An 18-year-old new hire may handle a situation differently than a flight attendant with 10 years’ seniority and a black belt in Taekwondo.”
Creeps: consider yourself warned.
FROM THE SINGAPORE BUSINESS TIMES:
***Making sure seafarers are given a fair deal
david hughes
980 words
25 June 2014
Business Times Singapore
STBT
English
(c) 2014 Singapore Press Holdings Limited
The general level of pay and welfare on the world’s fleet is something to be proud of
ALMOST everybody would agree in principle that seafarers should get a fair deal for work they do, far from the sight and attention of most of us. But what does a fair deal mean? Well, recently there have been several developments that give some insight into that question.
Pay is one issue that has been resolved, at least for many seafarers, for the next three years. Representatives of shipowners and seafarers’ unions have agreed on new pay rates for about 121,000 seafarers sailing on the 6,720 vessels covered by the International Bargaining Forum (IBF) Framework Agreement.
Actual pay levels are agreed locally but all will increase by one per cent next year, followed by increases of 2 per cent in 2016 and 3.5 per cent in 2017. The two sides said in a statement that negotiations were “particularly challenging” this year, following the depression of the global shipping market since the last agreement was negotiated in 2011.
Both parties acknowledged the need to support the growth of the market, but also the need to maintain sustainable and fair employment for seafarers sailing on vessels of the Joint Negotiating Group (JNG), which represents the maritime employers, worldwide.
The IBF agreement does not directly affect the pay of seafarers sailing on open registry vessels not represented by the JNG. On these vessels, the International Transport Workers‘ Federation (ITF) tries to enforce agreements with a benchmark for an AB (able seaman) of US$1,805 per month. Set in 2011, this figure will be reviewed in October by the ITF’s Benchmark Review steering group, which will then make recommendations to its Fair Practices Committee.
The two sides also agreed on “enhanced welfare support for seafarers”.
So all is well then? Yes and no. There are many ships where much lower, national rates are paid and too many bad owners who will get away with whatever they can. Nevertheless, the general level of pay and welfare on the world’s fleet is something to be proud of. Moreover, the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) will increasingly bear down on sub-standard vessels and their owners.
On the subject of the MLC, it has recently been amended to give greater protection to crew against abandonment and in cases of claims for workplace death or long-term disability.
Deirdre Fitzpatrick, executive director of Seafarers’ Rights International (SRI), an independent centre dedicated to advancing the rights of seafarers through research, education and training, commented that up to now, there does not appear to be any provision for compulsory financial security that can be directly accessed by seafarers in the event of their abandonment. But the amendments to the MLC now provide for such security.
Treating seafarers fairly goes further, though, than paying them properly and providing decent conditions on board.
In another recent move, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) pledged to carry on promoting as widely as possible the 2006 IMO guidelines on the fair treatment of seafarers in the event of a maritime accident. The decision followed a survey of IMO member states, conducted by SRI, asking for information on how the states had passed the guidelines into their laws or otherwise given effect to the guidelines. The results were decidedly patchy.
Ms Fitzpatrick said: “Fair treatment of seafarers has been at the core of the work of SRI since its start up. The recent tragic incident of the South Korean ferry Sewol and the heart- breaking loss of life have been exacerbated by an apparent rush to judgement and early condemnation of the master and the crew. What we seek is a fair and just process in accordance with the Guidelines in every case.”
She added: “It is not just high-profile incidents that affect seafarers. Seafarers face many risks crossing maritime boundaries on a daily basis, and knowing that they will be accorded fair and proper treatment will make the profession more attractive for new recruits.”
This is still very much a work in progress. And as a society, we need to be more than just fair in a calculating way. We need to provide the sort of support people get from their families and friends.
So it is encouraging that the Mission to Seafarers launched a major awareness and fund-raising campaign for seafarers in Singapore at a British High Commission reception which featured the first showing of a new film about the Mission’s work around the world (see https://www.youtube.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/] watch?v=6C8f4zIHJPw).
The event, supported by The China Navigation Company and Swire Pacific Offshore, highlighted the need to raise $690,000 for the expansion of operations supporting seafarers when they call at Singapore.
The Mission’s secretary-general, Rev Andrew Wright, said: “Seafaring is a way of life that brings with it very particular dangers, challenges and demands, ones which impact not only on crew but on their families as well. When I was last here, the Mission was dealing with two men who had been airlifted to hospital from far out at sea as a result of a collision. Both men had suffered amputated legs. Their lives were changed radically forever and they faced enormous difficulties. The Mission was able to offer care and support on a daily basis over many weeks.”
The Mission’s new global video was filmed in Hong Kong and Tuticorin, in south India, and described the core work of compassion and care that it provides in a safe and welcoming “home away from home” for seafarers in distress.
The Mission is, of course, not the only organisation helping seafarers and they all deserve the support of the wider community which relies so heavily, but unknowingly, on ships and seafarers.
FROM SEAFARER TIMES (PHILIPPINES):
***East Asia maritime week begins
Submitted by Helmsman on Tue, 06/24/2014 – 21:02
East Asia maritime week begins
23 June 2014 received via email
23 June 2014 received via email
ITF inspectors and dockers’ and seafarers’ union members began an East Asian maritime action week today in ports in Japan, Korea, Russia and Taiwan. The event runs from 23 to 27 June.
During the event joint inspection teams will check and enforce decent pay and working conditions onboard vessels.
In Japan a rally will also be held at the premises of the Kotoku Kaiun company, which refuses to talk with union representatives.
FROM DOW JONES NEWSWIRES AND OTHERS:
***Union: LAN and TAM Airline Workers to Take Strike and Support Action Week of June 23
651 words
23 June 2014
19:44
Dow Jones Institutional News
DJDN
English
Copyright © 2014, Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
23 Jun 2014 14:46 ET Press Release: LAN and TAM Airline Workers to Take Strike and Support Action the Week of June 23
LAN and TAM Airline Workers to Take Strike and Support Action the Week of June 23
LAN and TAM Airlines unions will take action this week in Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Argentina in support of strikes by LAN Peru mechanics and LAN Argentina flight attendants
PR Newswire
LONDON, June 23, 2014
LONDON, June 23, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — This week, the aviation unions of the ITF (International Transport Workers‘ Federation) Network of LATAM Unions in Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru and Colombia will be taking action to support the mechanics of LAN Peru and the flight attendants of LAN Argentina. The workers will inform passengers in the airport about the actions.
The passengers need to know that the demands of the LAN and TAM Airline workers are fair and that the company has the resources to resolve the conflicts. Aviation labour conditions impact the quality of life of workers and potentially the high standards of service on flights.
LAN Peru Mechanics
On June 26th and 27th, a planned strike of the mechanics union (SITALANPE), who represent 70 percent of the workforce, would affect flights in the country and the region. Licensed aviation mechanics are required to certify all aircraft.
LAN Argentina Flight Attendants
In Argentina, the flight attendants have suffered time and again delays in their collective rights. Since 2005, when the company began operations in Argentina, LAN has refused to sign a collective agreement to regulate the flight attendants’ working conditions.
LAN Peru union leader reports detention and threats in the Lima Airport
Juan Carlos Talavera Flores, the press secretary of the SITALANPE union of Peru, has reported that he was detained on Friday, June 20th. He reports that during his detention he was threatened by a security staff from the airport. The security staff introduced himself as being sent by LAN PERU. Mr. Talavera explained that this security staff member told him that LAN Peru was going to bring a legal notary to verify his assumed illegal actions.
Mr. Talvera explains that it was a confusing, frightening and strange action by LAN Peru to intervene with his detention. The leader of the mechanics union states that the police, and the security personnel of the airport sent by LAN Peru, detained him while he was distributing information to the passengers about delays and cancellations which would occur during the upcoming LAN Peru strike of June 26 and 27.
At the police station, the union leader reports that he was searched unfairly for drugs and incriminatory evidence. At the jail, he was threatened. Hours later he was released without charges.
Juan Carlos Talavera Flores, is a leader in the international solidarity campaign to protect aviation standards in South America. His detention was made while he was distributing information in the Jorge Chavez Airport in Lima and answering questions from passengers about the upcoming industrial actions and strikes in LAN and TAM airlines.
SOURCE International Transport Workers‘ Federation
/CONTACT: Dina Feller, Coordinator RED SINDICATOS LATAM ITF, +54 911 63030725, redlatam.itf@gmail.com; or Oscar Angosto, Secretary General, SITALANPE, +51 987 608 194; or Juan Carlos Talavera, Press Secretary SITALANPE, + 51 949 311 294; or Natalia Fontana, Press Secretary, Asociación Argentina de Aeronavegantes, +54 91133220492; or Esteban Restrepo, Vice President, Asociación Colombiana de Auxiliares de Vuelo, + 57 300 5282229; or Dario Castillo, Presidente Sindicato de Mantenimiento LAN Chile, +56 97807 1060; or Sam Dawson, ITF communications, London, +44 (0)20 7940 9260, dawson_sam@itf.org.uk, Facebook: Red Latam ITF, Twitter: @LATAMNETWORKITF
/Web site: http://www.itfglobal.org [http://www.itfglobal.org]
FROM USILIVE:
24 June 2014
LAN and TAM airline workers to take action this week
- LAN and TAM airline unions will take lawful solidarity action this week in Chile, Colombia and Argentina in support of strikes by LAN Peru mechanics and LAN Argentina flight attendants
- LAN Peru union leader reports detention and threats in Lima Airport.
This week 23 to 27 June, aviation unions in the ITF LATAM Network in Chile, Argentina, Peru and Colombia will be taking lawful solidarity action to support the mechanics of LAN Peru and the cabin crew of LAN Argentina. The workers will inform passengers in the airports about the actions.
The unions explain that passengers need to know that the demands of the LAN and TAM Airline workers are fair and that the company has the resources to resolve the conflicts. Aviation labour conditions impact the quality of life of workers and potentially the high standards of service on flights.
LAN Peru Mechanics
On June 26th and 27th, a planned strike of the Peruvian mechanics’ union (SITALANPE), which represents 70 percent of the workforce, is likely to affect flights in the country and the region. Licensed aviation mechanics are required to certify all aircraft.
LAN Argentina cabin crew
In Argentina, cabin crew have repeatedly suffered delays to their collective rights. Since 2005, when the company began operations in Argentina, LAN has refused to sign a collective agreement to regulate cabin crew working conditions.
LAN Peru union leader reports detention and threats in the Lima Airport.
Juan Carlos Talavera Flores, the press secretary of Peru’s SITALANPE union, has reported that he was detained on Friday, 20 June. Talavera is a leader in the international solidarity campaign to protect aviation standards in South America. His detention was made while he was distributing information in Jorge Chavez Airport in Lima and answering questions from passengers about the upcoming industrial actions and strikes in LAN and TAM airlines.
Talavera reported that during his detention he was threatened by a member of security staff at the airport, who introduced himself as being sent by LAN Peru. Talavera explained that this security staff member told him that LAN Peru was going to bring a legal notary to verify his alleged illegal actions.
He added that it was a confusing, frightening and strange action by LAN Peru. He stated that the police and security personnel detained him while he was distributing information to passengers about delays and cancellations which are likely to occur during the upcoming LAN Peru strike of 26 and 27 June.
Talavera added that at the police station he was unfairly searched for drugs and incriminatory evidence. At the jail, he was threatened. Hours later he was released without charge.
Sign the Petition
For more information, visit the ITF LATAM Network on Social Media
- On Facebook: English and Spanish
- Twitter: @LATAMNETWORKITF
UPDATE
LAN and TAM airline union leaders and company representatives to meet with Peru’s Ministry of Labour
LAN and TAM airline union leaders from Argentina, Peru and Chile will be meeting in Lima, Peru today, in an effort to convince the company to provide decent working conditions for workers in the LATAM Aviation Group.
FROM THE RMT:
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